Home Care Nurse - Hospice (LPN & RN)

Provides high quality comprehensive nursing care to meet the needs of the patient/client and manages/coordinates the delivery of cost effective multidisciplinary health care services for a caseload of patients/clients consistent with VNS Health philosophy, policy, goals and objectives, and Standards of Nursing Practice. Works under moderate supervision.

• Assesses the physical, social and psychological needs and environmental conditions of the patient/client through professional knowledge, skills of observation, interviewing, and physical examination to develop a plan of care.
• Understands, interprets, and implements reimbursement protocols; determines the billing source for patient/client care. Consults with management on complex/unique reimbursement cases.
• Acts as the coordinator of care for the multidisciplinary team by providing and managing the care needs of patients/clients which includes making/confirming referrals to other disciplines/community agencies and ordering supplies/services and ensuring they are delivered as needed.
• Documents content and process of all services provided in accordance with government regulations/requirements, and VNS Health policies, practices, and procedures, as well as NFP requirements as appropriate. Initiates and maintains written (including clinical and progress notes) and verbal communications with team members and management to assure optimal patient/client care.
• Participates in the orientation of selected staff through 'buddy system' field observation of staff and feedback to appropriate staff involved in orientation process.
• Participates in selected student programs by providing guidance, training and mentoring to students.
• Provides nursing care in accordance with VNS Health policies, practices, procedures and Standards of Nursing Practice, which may require standing, stooping, sitting, crouching, bending and stretching to deliver patient/client care.
• Transports and utilizes required medical equipment and other supplies using VNS Health designated/supplied carrying case weighing approximately 25 - 30 lbs. to and from patient/client homes/care facilities.
• Travels to patient/clients' homes and/or other facilities with varying environments (e.g., elevated buildings, walk-ups, care facilities, single/multiple family homes, presence of pets, etc.) using approved transportation options to deliver direct care to the patient/client.
• Maintains productivity sufficient to meet VNS Health goals.
• Assumes responsibility for personal professional growth through attendance at in-services, training, continued formal education and select journal readership.
• Performs other related duties and participates in special project, as assigned.
• Establishes, implements, and revises a plan of care with input from appropriate multidisciplinary health team members (i.e., physician, OT, PT, SW, SLP, family members, caregivers, HHAs, etc.) Ensures that services follow the plan of care by ongoing assessment, planning, coordination, counseling, teaching and supervision of the delivery of care to meet the needs of the patient.
• Oversees/supervises the care provided to the patient by Licensed Practical Nurses and Paraprofessionals through regular home visits in compliance with regulatory and VNS Health requirements. Assesses the patient's condition, monitors the effect of the care plans on the patient/family health status, informs physician and other team members of changes in the client's needs and updates the plan of treatment, as needed.
• Ensures that physician's orders, discharge summary and communication to team members, patient and family members adhere to VNS Health and regulatory requirements.
• Communicates and consults with patient's MD and follows-up on problematic situations affecting care such as abnormal clinical findings, medication discrepancies, or other factors that impact patient's ability to comply with the plan of care. Assists patients with activities of daily living, which may require positioning, moving, transferring and lifting patients of varying weights and physical conditions, with and without assistance and as appropriate, from family members and/or paraprofessionals.
• Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

License and current registration to practice as a registered professional nurse in New York State required

Wound Care Certification required or willingness to obtain within one year of hire preferred

Certification in Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing preferred

Degree in Nursing from an approved program required

Work Experience:

Minimum of one year of clinical nursing experience, including at least six months of Hospice, or Med/Surg or ICU or Emergency Department or Home care, Palliative Care, Oncology or Long Term Care experience required

VNS Health has been committed to meeting the needs of New Yorkers for over 130 years. We're one of the largest nonprofit home- and community-based health care organizations in the country, and today, more than 11,500 team members work together to make a difference in the lives of more than 99,000 patients and members on any given day.